Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
We are pleased that you will be having your surgical procedure with us, and are confident that you will have the very best surgical experience possible.
Who will provide my anesthesia?
Midwest Physicians Anesthesia Services, Inc. provides anesthesia services at the Ambulatory Surgery Center. A team consisting of a board certified anesthesiologist and certified nurse anesthetist or anesthesia resident will care for you. This team approach provides maximum patient safety.
Are there different kinds of anesthesia?
There are four main categories of anesthesia; general, regional, monitored anesthesia care and local anesthesia. Please refer to the Anesthesia section for a description of these categories. Regardless of the category of anesthesia that you may receive, special anesthetic agents and techniques are used to provide a safe and speedy recovery. If there are reasonable choices available to you for your surgery, and often there are, you will discuss them with your anesthesiologist before the surgery.
May I request what type of anesthesia I will receive?
Yes, in certain situations. Some operations can be performed using a choice of different anesthetic types. Your anesthesiologist will discuss available options with you after reviewing your medical history. Your preference will be discussed so that the most appropriate anesthetic plan is made.
Will I receive any sedatives before surgery?
You and your anesthesiologist will develop an anesthetic care plan. This plan will include preoperative sedation and other medications if necessary.
What are the risks of anesthesia?
All operations and all anesthetics have risks and they are dependent upon many factors including the type of surgery and the medical condition of the patient. Most patients operated on in surgery centers are of the healthier group of patients, and in these circumstances serious complications, while they can occur, are fortunately very rare.
To repeat – the risk of a major complication in an otherwise healthy patient is extremely low. Your anesthesiologist will assess you preoperatively and every precaution will be taken to minimize your risk. Our equipment is the most advanced and up to date. There will be very little in the acute period that we cannot handle as well as the hospital. However, we will routinely see minor problems such as nausea and vomiting, sore throat, dizziness, tiredness, headache, muscle aches, and pain, most of which are easily treated.
Will I be billed separately by the anesthesiologist?
Yes, you will receive a separate bill for your anesthesiologist’s professional services, as you will from your other physicians. Mid-West Physician Anesthesia Services Inc., participates in most health plans. If you have any financial concerns, you may call 614-884-0641.
Why must I refrain from eating and/or drinking prior to surgery?
You refrain from eating and/or drinking prior to surgery in order to prevent the risks of aspirating gastric contents during your surgery. This complication is very serious and you need to strictly abide by our recommendations. This has nothing to do with nausea and vomiting after your surgery as some think.
We have very clear policies as to specific times before surgery when you must refrain from eating and/or drinking. These are all based on safety standards. Please note that the standards have been revised recently. We believe that the fasting time should be as short as possible before your surgery. You will not improve your safety by not eating or drinking longer than necessary; in fact, at times you may complicate things a bit.
May I drive home?
Any patient receiving anesthesia should not drive until the next day. A patient receiving sedation for a procedure needs a ride home. The few patients who have procedures performed under local anesthesia alone could possibly drive home.
We request that all patients have a ride home and be received by a responsible adult when they arrive home. Patients will not be allowed to drive, walk or take public transportation home after sedation or anesthesia. Please make the appropriate arrangements.
Hand and Microsurgery: FAQ
ANSWERS TO SOME FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS. If you have additional questions, please contact us at 614-802-5560 (HAND).
Do you require referrals?
We want to eliminate any delays in getting you the help you need, which is why you can see our doctors without a referral from your primary care physician or other doctor. We are happy to keep your current physician informed about the care you receive. Contact us to arrange an appointment at 614-802-5560 (HAND).
What can I expect during my first visit?
During your first visit, one of our physicians will speak with you and examine the afflicted area to determine the source of your pain or discomfort. From there, they will present all available treatment options, taking special care to explain them clearly so that you can make confident, informed decisions. One of our patient care coordinators will then work with you to schedule any additional appointments.
What do I need to bring to my appointment?
New patients will need to provide a government issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license or passport, along with a current insurance card. Individuals with workers’ compensation claims will need to provide the claim number, date of injury, case manager name and phone number, employer name and phone number, and any documents received to date from the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation or Department of Labor. Patient forms can be filled out at the time of your appointment, or you may fill them out ahead of time. Patient forms can be downloaded here.
Do you provide emergency care?
We’re the only group of specially trained hand surgeons in Central Ohio to provide on-call emergency care, 365 days a year. In case of an emergency, call 911 or go to Riverside Methodist Hospital Emergency Department and request a Hand and Microsurgery Associates physician.
How do I schedule an appointment?
Call us at 614-802-5560 (HAND) or visit our appointment page.
What insurance plans do you accept?
Visit our insurance and billing page to see the full list of health insurance plans we accept, or call our office at 614-802-5560 (HAND) for more information.
Do you offer Spanish translation services?
A great number of trade professionals in our region speak Spanish as their first language. To make it easier for us to help them recover from pain or injury, our staff includes a Spanish translator to facilitate clear and accurate discussion between patient, physician and staff.
What’s the relationship between the Hand Center, the Therapy Center and Hand and Microsurgery Associates?
All of these entities work together under the Hand and Microsurgery Associates brand to provide a one-stop resource for upper extremity care, offering physician consultation, non-surgical/surgical treatment, therapy and imaging in one convenient location. Appointment requests for all services can be made by calling 614-802-5560 (HAND).
What are your hours?
Our office is open from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. However, we do have staff on call for emergencies 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Where are you located?
Our office is conveniently located near Polaris Fashion Place, as well as I-71 and I-270. Our address is 1210 Gemini Place, Suite 200, Columbus, Ohio 43240.
F.A.Q.’s Anesthesia
Who will provide my anesthesia?
Midwest Physicians Anesthesia Services, Inc. provides anesthesia services at the Ambulatory Surgery Center. A team consisting of a board certified anesthesiologist and certified nurse anesthetist or anesthesia resident will care for you. This team approach provides maximum patient safety.
Are there different kinds of anesthesia?
There are four main categories of anesthesia; general, regional, monitored anesthesia care and local anesthesia. Please refer to the Anesthesia section for a description of these categories. Regardless of the category of anesthesia that you may receive, special anesthetic agents and techniques are used to provide a safe and speedy recovery. If there are reasonable choices available to you for your surgery, and often there are, you will discuss them with your anesthesiologist before the surgery.
May I request what type of anesthesia I will receive?
Yes, in certain situations. Some operations can be performed using a choice of different anesthetic types. Your anesthesiologist will discuss available options with you after reviewing your medical history. Your preference will be discussed so that the most appropriate anesthetic plan is made.
Will I receive any sedatives before surgery?
You and your anesthesiologist will develop an anesthetic care plan. This plan will include preoperative sedation and other medications if necessary.
What are the risks of anesthesia?
All operations and all anesthetics have risks and they are dependent upon many factors including the type of surgery and the medical condition of the patient. Most patients operated on in surgery centers are of the healthier group of patients, and in these circumstances serious complications, while they can occur, are fortunately very rare.
To repeat – the risk of a major complication in an otherwise healthy patient is extremely low. Your anesthesiologist will assess you preoperatively and every precaution will be taken to minimize your risk. Our equipment is the most advanced and up to date. There will be very little in the acute period that we cannot handle as well as the hospital. However, we will routinely see minor problems such as nausea and vomiting, sore throat, dizziness, tiredness, headache, muscle aches, and pain, most of which are easily treated.
Will I be billed separately by the anesthesiologist?
Yes, you will receive a separate bill for your anesthesiologist’s professional services, as you will from your other physicians. Mid-West Physician Anesthesia Services Inc., participates in most health plans.
Why must I refrain from eating and/or drinking prior to surgery?
You refrain from eating and/or drinking prior to surgery in order to prevent the risks of aspirating gastric contents during your surgery. This complication is very serious and you need to strictly abide by our recommendations. This has nothing to do with nausea and vomiting after your surgery as some think.
We have very clear policies as to specific times before surgery when you must refrain from eating and/or drinking. These are all based on safety standards. Please note that the standards have been revised recently. We believe that the fasting time should be as short as possible before your surgery. You will not improve your safety by not eating or drinking longer than necessary; in fact, at times you may complicate things a bit.
May I drive home?
Any patient receiving anesthesia should not drive until the next day. A patient receiving sedation for a procedure needs a ride home. The few patients who have procedures performed under local anesthesia alone could possibly drive home.
We request that all patients have a ride home and be received by a responsible adult when they arrive home. Patients will not be allowed to drive, walk or take public transportation home after sedation or anesthesia. Please make the appropriate arrangements.